Tropical Passage

My 7-Day Bangkok and Koh Samed Itinerary for an Easy, Thoughtful Adventure

Escaping the Nordic Cold & Landing Softly in Bangkok

By late autumn, the Norwegian cold was already cutting through my jacket and my mood — so I did what any sun-starved traveler would do: I booked the quickest escape route to the tropics.

I flew from Stavanger to Oslo, then took a direct 12-hour flight from Oslo to Bangkok with Thai Airways. Something about the warmth of the flight attendants, the softness of the service, and the comfort of actual good food made my entire body feel like it was thawing mid-flight. Cozy, calm, welcomed.

I landed before 8 AM at Bangkok Airport. Mama, who flew from Manila, arrived shortly after. Instead of rushing into another round of travel while barely awake, we allowed ourselves a soft landing — just one night to breathe and let our systems shift from Scandinavian frost to Southeast Asian humidity.

Ammata Lanta Resort — A Maximalist Fever Dream

Ammata Lanta Resort was only 15 minutes from the airport. I normally book hotels with ratings of 8.9 and above, but something about this one — rated 7.9 yet claiming 4 stars — intrigued me. The photos were dramatic, maximalist, and a little unhinged in the best possible way. I followed my instinct.

And I’m glad I did.

Entering the resort felt like walking into an alternate century: towering wood carvings, stone dragons, ancient horse heads frozen mid-charge, dim lantern-lit corners, and a sort of eerie grandeur that felt like Bangkok wrapped in myth.

When I arrived, the reception was empty — silent, humid, artistic. Mama joined me a little later, and she was instantly as fascinated as I was.

The next morning, I met the owner — an artist who designed the entire property. He quietly adjusted a painting and gifted me one of his charcoal artworks as a souvenir. It’s still not framed. My bad.

Our Stay

We booked the Executive Villa, which had a suite bedroom, a living room, and a private pool overlooking the lake.
At around 140 USD, it was completely worth it.

Ammata Lanta was the perfect surreal stop before heading to the highlight of the trip: Koh Samed.

Rayong Bound: Shrines, Fruit Stalls & Slow Road Magic

The next morning, we headed toward the coastal province of Rayong. I hired a private car with a driver for 135–180 USD, which for a 2.5–3 hour comfortable ride felt ideal. The freedom to pause whenever you want — for drinks, for fruit, for a shrine that suddenly appears out of nowhere — is priceless.

And along that drive, something catches your eye every five minutes.

Massive Buddha statues rising out of unexpected corners. Fruit stands overflowing with mangosteen, rambutan, jackfruit, dragon fruit — all those exotic fruits that trigger memories only when you taste them again.

We stopped for lunch in a small local eatery. Out of courtesy, I treated the driver, which is good manners in Thai culture.
Our entire lunch — spicy chicken, vegetables, cold drinks — cost less than 30 USD for all three of us.

Thailand continues to humble my Norwegian wallet.

Arriving in Koh Samed: Speedboats, Forest Cafés & Sleepy Beaches

We eventually reached Ban Phe Pier, where chaos is part of the charm. Speedboat operators can sell ice to a snowman — persistent, persuasive, and quick.

The Truth About the Boats

You do not need a private speedboat.

They’ll offer one for around 55 USD and insist it’s the “only fast way.”

Meanwhile, shared speedboats cost 8–14 USD,
and the public ferry is only about 5 USD.

Did I fall for the private option?
Yes.
Blame my 30 kg suitcase, two hand-carries, and Mama’s luggage. Convenience won.

Checking In: Baan Ploy Sea

A short tuk-tuk ride later — costing less than a Norwegian sneeze — we arrived at Baan Ploy Sea, a beachfront boutique hotel with an 8.9 rating on Booking.com.

We stayed three nights for around 420 USD, and it was sweet, peaceful, and exactly my style.

This side of Koh Samed has a sleepy fishing-village vibe — soft white sand, clear blue water, and air that moves slowly. Our seafront room wasn’t grand like Ammata Lanta, but it was grounding and lovely — the kind of place that calms you without you realizing it.

Brown Cabin Chocolate Café — My Personal Forest Heaven

Just across a tiny road, a narrow path led us into a lush slice of forest where Brown Cabin Chocolate Café hid like a secret.

Inside:
Chocolate heaven.

Thick ceremonial cacao, chili-infused blends, mud-like chocolate drinks, rich cakes — everything decadent.

Mama watched me drink a chili-loaded cacao with a face that asked,
“Can you swallow that?”

I behaved and answered:
“I prefer potency over dilution,”
instead of the joke I wanted to say.

The walk itself felt like a mini rainforest — giant snails, birds-of-paradise leaves, yam-like plants. For a moment I thought of escargot… then remembered grilled fish exists. The snails were spared.

Exploring Koh Samed — Quiet Roads, Tuk-tuk Adventures & Coconut Bliss

We stayed three nights. Koh Samed is small, but its terrain makes walking the whole island unrealistic. I booked a tuk-tuk for a full-day tour (around 55 USD) and our guide showed us quiet coves, cliff viewpoints, and sandy trails.

Mama loves hiking but avoids the sun like it’s an ex-boyfriend.
I, however, adore the sun — the warmth, the bronze glow I bring back to Scandinavia.

And the coconuts…
Fresh coconut water multiple times a day.
My kidneys were on holiday too.

Ao Prao Resort — The One That Got Away

During our tour we passed Ao Prao Resort, a calm, refined beachfront property I had originally wanted to book. It was sold out at the time — but seeing it in person confirmed everything.

Next time, I’m staying there.

Why This Autumn Itinerary Works

This itinerary gave me exactly what I needed: warmth without chaos, beaches without crowds, movement without stress, and luxury without noise. It's perfect for travelers who like their adventures intentional, grounded, and calm.

Koh Samed provided soft mornings and quiet beaches.
Bangkok provided refined comfort without sensory overload.

It was the right balance of ease and exploration.

Bangkok Finale — The Sukhothai Hotel

For our last stretch, we checked into The Sukhothai Hotel, a 5-star sanctuary in the heart of Bangkok with an outstanding 9.5 Booking.com rating.

We paid around 600 USD for three nights, and from the marble bathrooms to the nightly turndown chocolates, everything was designed to make you feel gently held.

Inside the gates, the hotel feels like an oasis.
Outside, the neighborhood is calm and residential — quiet streets, upscale condominiums, and none of the chaotic nightlife I wanted to avoid.

A perfect landing place at the end of a tropical passage.

Final Verdict — My 7-Day Bangkok Itinerary

For a one-week trip, this itinerary offered everything I hoped for:
a peaceful island without another flight, a dark artistic resort near the airport, a polished city stay, gentle beaches, forest cafés, shrines, coconut water, and quiet mornings that settle into your memory long after you leave.

Mama was still talking about the trip a month later — replaying the sunsets, the chocolate café, the soft beach mornings. There is something special about hearing your own memories echoed back by someone who lived them with you.

That’s when I knew: I planned this one right.

If I had to summarize this week in one line, it would be this:

It felt like stepping out of my life and slipping into a gentler, sun-soaked version of it — just long enough to breathe.

This was my version —
safe, beautiful, wholesome, quiet, and genuinely memorable.